Drum Sander

• A drum sander is the most powerful type of sander used on wood floors. With it, you can remove all of the floor's existing finish, including wax and paint, and smooth out deep scratches and worn areas. It is a must-have tool if the floor that you are refinishing is extremely old and badly damaged. The sander consists of a piece of sandpaper that is attached to a drum-like cylinder that spins at very high speeds so it can sand quickly and easily. Because it is such a heavy-duty machine, a drum sander is extremely expensive but you can rent one from tool rental companies or your local home improvement store if you are refinishing your floors.
  
  

Belt Sander

• Belt floor sanders can be used to remove all flooring finishes and remove scratches and gouges, but they are usually not as powerful as a drum sander. A belt sander features a continuous belt of sandpaper that is lowered to the floor by a control and rolls over two wheels that are mounted at the end of the machine. As a result of this design, the sandpaper belt remains in the same position as you work to ensure a smooth, even finish. Like a drum sander, it is a large piece of equipment that is available for rent if you are planning to refinish your floor.
  
  

Orbital Sander

• An orbital floor sander is an ideal option if your flooring is too thin for a drum or belt sander or its damage is not extensive. It cannot remove paint or wax, but it is an effective option when you simply need to sand minor scratches and imperfections. An orbital sander has a pad that moves in a circular motion to buff the floor. It does not affect the wood grain, but it may create circular marks on the surface if too much pressure is applied when using the machine.
  
  

Edge Sander

• While drum, belt and orbital sanders are effective for sanding the center areas of a wood floor, they cannot fit in the sides and corners of a room. For this job, an edge sander is necessary. It is a handheld sanding machine that features a dust bag to capture the debris that it creates. An edge sander is also useful when you need to sand wood stairs.